Why Maro Itoje Has the Tools to Be a Superstar for England

England coach Eddie Jones finds himself blessed with a substantial influx of new and emerging talent in the national team, but perhaps none currently display more promise than potential superstar Maro Itoje. The 21-year-old has steadily built a reputation at Saracens since debuting as a teenager, and now the multi-faceted forward is ready to apply those skills at the international level. Or perhaps that should read Itoje already is, considering it was his blossoming lock partnership alongside club-mate George Kruis that helped guide the Red Rose to this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam triumph. Itoje‘s... 

Who Should Eddie Jones Select as England Scrum-Half for Australia Test Series?

Scrum-half is one of Eddie Jones’ main selection dilemmas ahead of England’s Test series with Australia in June and beyond. In Leicester Tigers‘ Ben Youngs and Danny Care of Harlequins, the England head coach has two No. 9s of similar profile and experience (they have 57 and 58 England caps, respectively). But Youngs should start for the national team, with Care coming off the bench Danny Care ended the 2016 RBS Six Nations as the starting scrum-half, justifying his selection with an opportunist try against a badly aligned French pack (see video below). That is the 29-year-old’s... 

How Much Longer Will Dan Carter Be Able to Operate at the Top Level?

Dan Carter, the World Rugby Player of the Year for 2015, will be able to operate at the top level until the end of his current contract with Racing 92 in 2018, mainly because he is adapting his style to ensure his longevity as a world-class fly-half. Carter will be 36 when his current deal ends, and it is hard to see the former All Black playing beyond then. As a World Cup winner, international points record-holder and arguably the finest player of the professional era, he has no need to play on beyond 2018. But why will Carter be able to keep playing the rugby we expect from him when he is well... 

5 Things on Nigel Melville’s to-Do List for English Rugby

Nigel Melville was swiftly announced in April as the successor to Rob Andrew for the job of director of professional rugby in England, per RFU.com. The former Wasps scrum-half will arrive from his role as CEO of USA rugby and will oversee, according to the Union: “Professional rugby in England for the RFU, with particular focus around managing the relationship with Premiership Rugby, the English Qualified Player scheme, the EPS agreement and the academy system.” Melville arrives with England having bounced out of their lowest point after a disastrous 2015 Rugby World Cup to claim a... 

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 29-May 1

The major leagues in Europe are reaching their climax, and there were plenty of performances by men desperate to see their sides reach the playoffs this season. Super Rugby reached Round 10, and we also saw some strong displays down south, with the 2015 champions Highlanders benefiting from an upturn in form by their fly-half in Lima Sopoaga. The All Black doesn’t make the cut in this week’s team, however, thanks to a huge points total from Scottish international Duncan Weir. Let’s see who joins the Glasgow man in the team of the weekend. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of April 29 to May 1

As Europe’s play-off nears its climax and the continent’s finest make their final dash for a post-season future, tension across the land builds, and mistakes will be made. This weekend saw Saracens and Exeter Chiefs take major steps in securing home Premiership play-off places—with the former’s actually booked—while the Pro12 order was shaken up after a high-octane round of rugby. The Jaguares ran riot en route to their second-ever Super Rugby win against the Southern Kings, while Racing 92 gave their campaign a jolt by beating Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne thanks... 

4 Uncapped Australians Who Could Earn Places in Summer Internationals

After making their way to the final of last year’s Rugby World Cup, Australia can afford to experiment in their selection once again, and this year brings with it the opportunity to usher in some new faces. The Wallabies will play host to England in June before the Rugby Championship picks back up in August, and with another Bledisloe Cup series also on the line, there’s plenty of pride at stake. However, head coach Michael Cheika will nevertheless look to inject some fresh legs into the side, and after handing out just two debuts in 2015—Taqele Naiyaravoro and Toby Smith—this... 

What’s More Important to a Rugby Winger, Speed or Skill?

It’s long been held that backs are seen as the glamorous bunch in rugby, the scorers and finishers who regularly butt heads with forwards, but there lies another debate within their ranks—and it relates to the wings. Speed and skill are seen as two foundations of any winger’s locker, but there will inevitably be those who fare better in one department more so than the other; the question is, which attribute is more important? Of course, we have the fortunate few who stand out as elite hybrids of the two. Any player would seek to showcase as much of each trait as possible, but... 

England Won’t Whitewash Australia 3-0 in June Rugby Series

Australians may not be confident ahead of the three-test series with England in June, but former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh went into hyperbolic mode when he suggested the Red Rose would whitewash Australia down under. Lynagh told BBC Sport England’s Australian coach Eddie Jones was a key reason for the upturn in England’s form: “Eddie’s going down there to win the series 3-0 and why not? It’s realistic. It’s a good squad.” Lynagh is a measured pundit, so his remarks need to be taken seriously, but on this occasion he is very wide of the mark. Much of... 

Saracens and Bath Heading in Opposite Directions

Saracens and Bath collided in last year’s Premiership final, but this year their fortunes couldn’t be further apart. While the Fez Boys, victorious that day, have headed the field from Day 1 of this Premiership season, the West Country men have had a disastrous campaign—Mike Ford’s men languish in ninth place. A decade ago, Bath were marching towards what was then the Courage League title. That was the last year they lifted the domestic English crown. It was Saracens who came in ninth that season, propped up only by the pointless (literally) West Hartlepool in a 10-team... 

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